December 15, 2011

Reporters Notebooks

Izzy Gould, Al.com: A Facebook page has been started to help raise money for the defense of Harvey Updyke, the man accused of poisoning oak trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner. Click here to view the page, titled Roll Damn Tide.

Mike Herndon, Mobile Press-Register: Has Gus Malzahn's star fallen this far this fast? A year ago, the Auburn offensive coordinator turned down $3 million a year to coach Vanderbilt. A year later, Malzahn accepts the Arkansas State job at $850,000 a year, nearly a 35% cut in pay from the $1.3 million he was making at Auburn.

Josh Kendall, Columbia State: If you're not cheating you're not trying. South Carolina told the NCAA that it does not dispute three "major and serious" rules violations and has offered to forfeit six scholarships over the next three years as punishment.

Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun: Maryland is expected to hire former New Mexico coach Mike Locksley as its offensive coordinator.

Aaron Fentress, Oregonian: Oregon's LaMichael James plans to forgo his final season of eligibility and declare himself available for the 2012 NFL draft.

Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: Washington has "distributed" over 8,600 of its 9,500 tickets the team was allotted for the Alamo Bowl.

Travis Sawchick, Charleston Post and Courier: Clemson says standout freshman receiver Sammy Watkins, whose name appeared on a Christmas party flier for a Fort Myers bar/restaurant, will be eligible for the Jan. 4 Orange Bowl.

David J. Neal, Miami Herald: How Florida International athletic director Pete Garcia lobbied to get the Golden Panthers into the Beef 'O’ Brady’s Bowl.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: How Iowa athletic director Gary Barta lobbied to get the Hawkeyes into the Insight Bowl.

Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: The newspaper obtains a copy of San Diego State's agreement to join the Big East. It includes several protections and assurances for the Aztecs concerning revenue sharing and buyout amounts.

Brett McMurphy, CBS Sports.com: Navy is preparing to join the Big East as a football-only member, but the move from independence likely won't happen until 2013.

J. Brady McCollough, Kansas City Star: Charlie Weis' deal with Kansas will pay him $12.5 million over five seasons. Even if he is fired, Weis will get the entire sum as long as he is not terminated for cause. Former Kansas coach Turner Gill has been named coach at Liberty.